Fon·tan pro·ce·dure

Fontan procedure

A surgical procedure for toddlers (children aged 3 to 5), who have hypoplastic left-heart syndrome, which creates a cavopulmonary shunt with a lateral tunnel, deviating blood from the inferior vena cava to the pulmonary artery, bypassing the right ventricle.

Fontan,

Fontan procedure - placement of a conduit (usually valved) from the right atrium to the main pulmonary artery as a bypass to a hypoplastic right ventricle, as in tricuspid atresia. Synonym(s): Fontan operation

Fontan procedure

a method for repair of pulmonic stenosis in which a valved conduit is placed between the right atrium and the pulmonic artery.

The possible causes of tachyarrhythmia and bradyarrhythmia following the Fontan procedure may include damage to the sinoatrial (SA) node or the artery, extensive atrial suture lines and incisions, and exposure of the atrial myocardium to prolonged high pressure.

Currently, HLHS surgery is performed in three stages: the first on newborns, followed by an intermediate operation at about 6 months of age, and a third stage, the Fontan procedure, between one and two years of age.

However, patients with transposition of the great arteries or single ventricle who have undergone Mustard, Senning, or Fontan procedures are more prone to develop this arrhythmia because of atrial scars from surgery and right atrial enlargement (1, 2).

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.